Final answer:
Cosmic rays, which are particles that have mass and travel at speeds up to 90% of the speed of light, are slower than gravity waves that travel at the speed of light. Unlike cosmic rays, gravity waves have no mass and are not particles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gravity waves travel at the speed of light while cosmic rays are slower.
Cosmic rays have mass.
Cosmic rays are particles.
In physics, both cosmic rays and gravity waves are important concepts. Cosmic rays are high-speed particles, primarily protons, that travel through space and are known to reach speeds up to 90% of the speed of light. On the other hand, gravity waves, also known as gravitational waves, are ripples in the fabric of space-time caused by some of the most violent and energetic processes in the universe. While both entities move at high speeds, electromagnetic waves, which include light, all move at the same speed in a vacuum - approximately 3× 108 m/s, known as the speed of light, which is the fastest possible speed in the universe. Gravitational waves also travel at this constant speed.
Unlike gravity waves, cosmic rays have mass as they are composed of atomic nuclei and other particles such as electrons and positrons. Their behavior in space is influenced by the magnetic fields they encounter, which can alter their paths. These energetic particles can originate from a variety of astronomical events, including supernovae.
It's important to note that although we refer to cosmic rays as 'rays', they are not electromagnetic waves like light or radio waves, they are indeed particles that have mass and can be composed of various elements found in interstellar space. This distinction is crucial to understand how cosmic rays interact with other elements in space and how they can be detected using various instruments.